Malta Rent Reform

The recently published White Paper on rent reform proposes to introduce compulsory registration of all rental agreements, including registration with ARMS indicating the number of tenants and their details. The amount given out as deposit together with an inventory need also be registered. The White Paper does not seek to fix monthly rent rates however it seeks to encourage longer leases with annual increases being clearly set out at the outset of the agreement.

The White Paper also seeks to establish a new division within the Housing Authority that would be tasked with supervising the rental market. Adequate notice is also considered in the White Paper as it sets to introduce a reasonable period of notice within which either party to the agreement can terminate the contract should circumstances change.